Like A Tortoise

I am often reminded in poignant ways of the Aesop's Fable "The Tortoise and the Hare". I'm sure you remember the story...the Hare was arrogant about his ability as the fastest animal in the land. He was proud, he was cocky, he was that person that we all secretly want to be: well-liked, admired, speedy...at least on the surface...but deep down, he was that person we all pity: selfish, loud, rude, mean. And you remember the Tortoise as well. He was the quiet one, steady, laid back, never drawing attention to himself, often ridiculed. Until the day he said he could beat the Hare in a race. Then he was in the spotlight, totally belittled by the other animals. Until the race. He kept on. Steady. Slow. At a good pace that was consistent, the best of his ability. The Hare, on the other hand, started out at full sprint, but tired, and took a rest. He started off again in a burst of energy and speed, only to be distracted by his friends, so he diverted from the path to have a meal. And on and on, he started out at top speed, stopped and started and stopped and started, until, finally, he realized that the Tortoise was almost across the finish line! He tried his best to get to top speed and beat the Tortoise, but to no avail...the Tortoise crosses the finish line with his plodding steps ahead of the Hare...and history is made.
Ever since BB and I moved into our home almost 7 years ago, I've had a list of "things I want to do to improve/redecorate our home"...some things have been finished...some haven't.

Up until this Spring, I've been the Hare...starting and stopping on projects in fits and spurts until my home is a jumble of things with no home, projects that are planned for, items purchased, and plans laid out, but never started...or some that are started but not finished...

Wednesday, when Cleaning Lady failed to show, or call, I was miffed. Alright, I was furious...I had planned my week with things on my "To Do List" that had to be done...and when I realized that I had to add my normal cleaning tasks to that list, I was mad, frustrated...you name it, I was probably feeling it.

I logged off when I said I was going to, and made the most of the hours that the children were asleep.

On Wednesday, I:

• Made a double batch of chili
• Made brownies
• Made sourdough bread
• Scrubbed 3 toilets, 2 bathtubs, 1 shower, 6 sinks, and 3 sets of countertops
• Swept and mopped the hard surface floors in the bathrooms, entry, kitchen and utility rooms.
• Dusted every inch of furniture and knick-knacks
• Vacuumed every square foot of carpet, and upholstered surface in my home

Thursday, I:

• stripped and remade 3 beds
• washed, dried, folded & put away the sheets
• did 2 more loads of laundry
• ironed BB's shirts
• cleaned up BB's office
• filed
• paid bills
• balanced the checkbook
• sorted through baby clothes
• marinated steaks
• made cookies

Today, while BB is working from home, I'm going to:

• finish my office by putting away all items, finding a home for all papers and items that should be kept
• start a garage sale pile, including pricing all items
• start a donate box for clothes and other items to not be sold
• start a trash and recycling box/bag

I will have my Spring Cleaning done before the middle of March, all inside items will be cleaned, moved, shined, oraganized...and as much outside as I can will be done as well - the windows washed, the yard raked, the gardens cleaned of as much waste as is safe to do at this time, and the vegetable garden boxes tilled, so we can add soil and food before we plant our cool-weather crops of lettuce, beans, and peas.

I will not go through another season of putting off things on my list for things that BB thinks should take precedence...I mean, really...I don't mind making calls about things like our insurance policies, mortgage information, setting appointments for car maintenance, filling gas tanks, getting oil changes, running errands to drop things at the post office and the like, but really, does your motorcycle, which is garaged, really need to be scheduled for an oil change at the very second the idea pops into your head?!?!?!?

Really? I mean, it's been sitting in the garage for the last 4 months...will one more week kill you?

EH...I just get a little perturbed at the idea that somehow, the items that I wish to complete are less important than the items on BB's list...

I know that as a wife, especially staying at home to raise the children, that I do have a bit more time spend on hold, as I don't have meetings and customers that need me on demand...but don't I deserve to do somethings for me?

Am I being selfish when I get frustrated that I don't get to work uninterrupted on a project? Especially when said project's unfinished status causes BB to be stressed?

Tell me if you think I'm nuts for feeling glad when I can work steadily on a project without being interrupted, and for feeling frustrated when the things I'm working on have to be dropped to immediately assist BB with something?